Tamarak Country School and Day Camp

If I could I would still be attending summer camp in my 30s. I’m counting down the days until my now 4.5 yr old is old enough to go to overnight camp– not because I want less chaos in my house, but little does she know that I’m planning on going with her. Or at least visiting a lot!
When I first checked out Tamarak it reminded me a lot of overnight camp. Lots of greenery and just plain fun! I decided last August that I was going to enroll my daughter in their munchkin program for this summer. As this summer approached I got a little nervous because wasn’t sure she was ready to leave the doors of her nurturing pre– school, take a bus to camp and stay all day long.
It turns out she was more than ready and I can’t imagine her having a better summer than she did at Tamarak. She loved her counselors (shout out to Faith who runs the munchkin program along with Jess, Isabel, Hillary and sam for putting up with her and many other 4 yr olds each day). She loved the activities (swimming & arts and crafts her personal faves). And most of all she loved the bus ride to and from camp, which opened her eyes (or ears) to many more music options. The price of Tamarak alone was worth getting to switch out the kiddie music in my car for Taylor swift and Katy Perry.
Tamarak has open visitation. I expected to take advantage of it many times throughout the summer but between work and the rest of life just made it there once. However, I was so impressed by the camp based on that 1 visit: it was well organized, the kids were safe and it just looked like so much fun.
My daughter cried when I told her she’d be going back to the «tough life of pre school in the fall» because she wants to stay at tamarak year round. I’d like to be at camp year round too, but at least she’s lucky enough to have a summer at tamarak next year and beyond.

My 2 daughters went to went to Tamarak country school. We’ve had experience with 14 teachers and I can say, while they all offer different types of support to their students, they have all been quite good. My 2 girls have wildly different personalities one introverted and creative, the other extroverted and focused. The former needed more support from the Tamarak teachers and she received it. She is no longer afraid to speak out. She really loves school. This is a metamorphosis to me and I feel a significant portion of this change can be attributed to the teachers at Tamarak. The teachers set goals for the girls and worked with us on techniques that we could use at home to help them.
The day is broken up into big group, small group and individual choice education & play. They focus on literacy, letters and math concepts as well as social aspects of learning. Both of my girls were completely prepared for kindergarten.
Tamarak offers additional learning opportunities in programs like GIFT, and STARs. We took advantage of GIFT this year, which extended the day from 2 ½ hrs to 5 hrs (lunch is included). These extra classes offer benefits. 1) It prepared my youngest for full day kindergarten (first one didn’t have it and full day kindergarten was a shock to the system for her) 2) extra learning opportunities in geography, and the one that impressed me the most was public speaking and presentations. This may sound like too much… I thought it would have been, but… the kids to so well! The got to talk about something they liked doing and in this non-​threatening environment… they had no problem talking to the class.
The school has several outdoor play areas and an indoor gym for rainy/​cold days.
They care a great deal about the health of the kids, plenty of hand washing :)
Lucia, the director, is a force. She is really really a great director. She is responsive to suggestion and a fabulous leader.
We will be back for summer camp next summer for sure.

We sent both our kids here for preschool and I can’t say enough good things about this program. Teachers, owners, and program are all top notch. Teachers were genuinely interested in the kids, engaged, and seemed like they were having fun. A big facility with room to be outside, separate class rooms for ages, lots of activities. Ms. Lucia (owner/​director) is the best!